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Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2003-01-09, Gov. Easley Pledges Full State Match for Ice Storm Relief: Will Provide Local Governments with $24 Million in Aid

Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Ernie Seneca
Date: January 9, 2003 Phone: (919) 733-5612
(Note to radio stations: An updated message from Gov. Easley regarding the press release is available at 733-1124.)
GOV. EASLEY PLEDGES FULL STATE MATCH FOR ICE STORM RELIEF
Will Provide Local Governments With $24 Million In Aid
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today pledged more than $24 million in disaster relief for a full state match to local governments to offset losses from the recent winter ice storm.
“I want to assure our local governments that we are going to provide the full state match in disaster relief money for this winter storm,” Easley said. “Estimates now exceed $97 million across North Carolina for damage and recovery efforts. The federal government has agreed to pay 75 percent, and I am committing the remainder from state resources.”
“We are currently identifying areas in the budget to secure this state funding, but I want our local governments to know today that the reimbursement money will be provided to them,” Easley said. “I applaud the towns, cities and counties across North Carolina for all their efforts to respond to this disaster and for the ongoing recovery process to keep our people safe and help return life to normal. Now that they know this money is coming, I want them to focus on completing the job as quickly as possible.”
To date, the December 2002 ice storm has cost more than $97.2 million in response and recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is to pay $72.9 million, and the state and local governments are responsible for the remaining $24.3 million. Following is a breakdown of costs: N.C. Department of Transportation, $50,043,418; counties and municipalities, $22,548,366; local Electric Membership Cooperatives, $18,405,742; the university system, $5 million; state parks, $1.1 million; and the N.C. National Guard, $130,000.
Damage estimates are continuing in the state, and further assistance may be provided as more damage surveys are completed. Once the local damage assessments are completed and certified by state and federal officials, the state will make reimbursements. The Executive Budget Act, General Statute 143-23, gives the Governor authority to spend more than was appropriated in the budget to meet unexpected expenses due to a natural disaster.
The 42 counties designated for the assistance are: Alamance, Alexander, Anson, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Chatham, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gaston, Granville, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Iredell, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Person, Polk, Randolph, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wayne and Wilson.
Federal disaster funding is available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis to cover debris removal, emergency services related to the storm, and the repair or replacement of damaged public facilities, including related expenses made by the publicly owned electric membership cooperatives.

Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Ernie Seneca
Date: January 9, 2003 Phone: (919) 733-5612
(Note to radio stations: An updated message from Gov. Easley regarding the press release is available at 733-1124.)
GOV. EASLEY PLEDGES FULL STATE MATCH FOR ICE STORM RELIEF
Will Provide Local Governments With $24 Million In Aid
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today pledged more than $24 million in disaster relief for a full state match to local governments to offset losses from the recent winter ice storm.
“I want to assure our local governments that we are going to provide the full state match in disaster relief money for this winter storm,” Easley said. “Estimates now exceed $97 million across North Carolina for damage and recovery efforts. The federal government has agreed to pay 75 percent, and I am committing the remainder from state resources.”
“We are currently identifying areas in the budget to secure this state funding, but I want our local governments to know today that the reimbursement money will be provided to them,” Easley said. “I applaud the towns, cities and counties across North Carolina for all their efforts to respond to this disaster and for the ongoing recovery process to keep our people safe and help return life to normal. Now that they know this money is coming, I want them to focus on completing the job as quickly as possible.”
To date, the December 2002 ice storm has cost more than $97.2 million in response and recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is to pay $72.9 million, and the state and local governments are responsible for the remaining $24.3 million. Following is a breakdown of costs: N.C. Department of Transportation, $50,043,418; counties and municipalities, $22,548,366; local Electric Membership Cooperatives, $18,405,742; the university system, $5 million; state parks, $1.1 million; and the N.C. National Guard, $130,000.
Damage estimates are continuing in the state, and further assistance may be provided as more damage surveys are completed. Once the local damage assessments are completed and certified by state and federal officials, the state will make reimbursements. The Executive Budget Act, General Statute 143-23, gives the Governor authority to spend more than was appropriated in the budget to meet unexpected expenses due to a natural disaster.
The 42 counties designated for the assistance are: Alamance, Alexander, Anson, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Chatham, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gaston, Granville, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Iredell, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Person, Polk, Randolph, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wayne and Wilson.
Federal disaster funding is available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis to cover debris removal, emergency services related to the storm, and the repair or replacement of damaged public facilities, including related expenses made by the publicly owned electric membership cooperatives.